Santander's Cultivate Small Business program

Santander Bank’s Community and Philanthropy initiatives reflect a long-standing commitment to inclusive economic growth, community development, and financial empowerment. As part of its $13.6 billion Inclusive Communities Plan, the bank has pledged $100 million in charitable giving through both Santander Bank and the Santander Consumer USA Foundation. These initiatives operate within their retail and operational footprints across the Northeastern United States, Florida, Texas, and Arizona, providing substantial funding and support to organizations that advance opportunities for underserved populations. The Charitable Giving Program administered by Santander Bank targets low- to moderate-income communities located within its Northeast and Florida retail banking footprint. The funding supports a wide spectrum of community development goals in alignment with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Funded activities include affordable housing, small business development, job creation, workforce development, first-time homebuyer education, down payment assistance, financial education, neighborhood revitalization, disaster relief, youth development, and community service programming. These initiatives are intended to foster long-term economic security and local resilience. In parallel, the Santander Consumer USA Foundation focuses on empowering underserved communities within Texas, Arizona, and Florida. The foundation funds initiatives that promote educational, physical, and economic mobility, ensuring that individuals in these communities have the tools and support needed to thrive. Both arms of Santander’s philanthropic outreach are designed to uplift communities through targeted, measurable investments that generate meaningful change. One signature program, Cultivate Small Business, exemplifies Santander’s strategic approach to community development. This initiative supports early-stage entrepreneurs in the food industry across Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Greater Philadelphia, New York City, and Miami. The program is free for eligible entrepreneurs and delivers a 12-week curriculum focused on food business development, paired with mentorship and capital grants. It primarily serves historically underserved founders in low- to moderate-income areas. The program accepts applications for its Fall cohort from March through June, and for its Spring cohort from November through January. Applicants must submit proposals via Santander’s Grant Portal. While specific proposal components are not detailed publicly, organizations are encouraged to align with the funder’s stated community development priorities. For questions regarding eligibility and application deadlines, potential applicants may contact the Philanthropy Team at [email protected] or, for the Foundation, at [email protected]. Although deadlines and evaluation processes for the general Charitable Giving Program are not specified on the public site, the recurring structure of the Cultivate Small Business program allows for a predictable cycle of engagement. Given the recurring cohorts and the March–June window currently open for Fall applications, the next internal check should be scheduled for early June to confirm application timelines. Overall, Santander's philanthropic structure offers a multifaceted and recurring opportunity for community-based organizations and small businesses to secure funding and support tailored to their specific needs and geographies.